Alan Harrison Half-Fee Scholarship 2024/2025 Recipient: A transition from working life back to student life, filled with learning, challenges, and rewarding moments

My first term at Cranfield has been filled with learning, new challenges and rewarding moments. Coming in with only a basic understanding of procurement and supply chain management, I knew the first term would be a learning curve. However, the professors and my fellow students have made the experience both enjoyable and enriching, greatly supporting my studies.

The transition from working life back to student life was certainly challenging at first. However, now that I’ve completed Term One and starting Term Two, I can reflect on how much Cranfield University – along with everyone involved – has contributed to making this a positive experience.

Academic Insights

One of the most interesting aspects of my academic studies so far has been the way we are taught using real-life case studies. Whilst there is certainly a foundation in theory-based learning, I was surprised at how consistently real-world examples are integrated into the teaching. We frequently have guest speakers and Cranfield alumni that come into class to teach us about their experiences and even had a team from the procurement consultancy, Efficio deliver a module, the Future of Digital Procurement, demonstrating how our learnings apply in practise.

Furthermore, in the module Information Systems and eBusiness, we had hands-on experience with real inventory management systems like SAP S/4Hana and training on supply chain standards with GS1. Its experiences like these that allow us to develop a deep understanding of how businesses operate in Supply Chain Management.

Cranfield also gives students frequent opportunities to apply their knowledge in real-world settings. A personal favourite of mine and great example of this, is within one of our core modules, Negotiation and Contract Management. We first learned about negotiation strategies, techniques and contract drafting. Then, after completing the theoretical part, we were split into teams and tasked with negotiating against each other in a simulated contract negotiation. These learning experiences are for me the most enriching and influential, as they provide immediate understanding how knowledge can be turned into action.

It’s these types of experiences that are pivotal in my journey towards a career in procurement and supply chain management, as they provide me with both knowledge and practical skills that I can implement in the workplace.

Student Life and Social Experience

Whilst Cranfield itself is a quiet village, the campus and facilities onsite offer most of what you need as a student. We have libraries, computer rooms and study areas, so from an academic standpoint, we are covered. In terms of the social life, the CSA (Cranfield Student Association) and societies put on a variety of events for everyone, so there’s always something to do. The community feel at Cranfield is strong, where you get back what you put in, so getting involved is key to making the most of the experience.

Alan Harrison Half-Fee Scholarship

Receiving the Alan Harrison Half-Fee Scholarship has been a privilege and has made a significant impact on my time at Cranfield. Financially, it has eased the burden of tuition fees and accommodation costs, allowing me to focus on my studies. Beyond that, it’s been a source of motivation, improving my confidence and reinforcing my commitment towards my career aspirations. For anyone from the UK, considering applying for either the LSCM or PSCM programmes in 2025/26, my advice is applying early and really highlight your passions for this industry. For me, the process was straightforward, and the result has proved invaluable in terms of my overall university life. I would really encourage any eligible students to apply, as you never know, you might just get it!

Looking ahead for Term Two

With Term One now completed, I’m focussing on Term Two, where we have had the opportunity to select our own elective modules. Having the freedom to select different areas of study is important to me, as it allows me to shape my learning to align with my career aspirations.

For example, although I’m a procurement student, I have a strong interest in the retail sector and humanitarian aid, therefore I’ve chose to study Retail Logistics and Humanitarian Logistics. Having the flexibility to choose my own path and explore different topics beyond my core discipline is valuable, as it enables me to focus on areas, I’m passionate about.

I’m excited to continue my Cranfield University journey and see what Term Two has in store!